Faulkner Crushes Point, Prepares to Dedicate Stallings Field

VALLEY, Ala. – Faulkner scored on six of its eight first-half possessions and was never headed, ripping Point 6 5-17 Saturday night in a non-conference tune-up as the 25th-ranked Eagles now brace themselves for a key stretch in the Mid-South Conference.

The victory pushes Faulkner to 4-1 on the year, and the fourth victory marks the most ever in a season for the Eagles' program. It also sets up a key two-game stretch for Faulkner, which faces a pair of nationally-ranked MSC opponents the next two weekends.

The Eagles host No. 12 Cumberlands (Ky.) and No. 19 Cumberland (Tenn.) the next two Saturday afternoons at Faulkner Stadium. Both games kick off at 1:30. For Point, in its first year of intercollegiate competition, the loss was its fourth straight to start the season.

"We got to play a lot of people tonight, and everybody seemed to get to enjoy some success," Faulkner head coach Brent Barker said. "We didn't play many starters in the second half, and the backups were able to keep the momentum going. We're happy to win, but we know there are some tough Saturdays ahead."

With quarterback Josh Hollingsworth tossing three touchdown passes and running back De'Marko Hall rushing for more than 100 yards and a score in the first two quarters, the Eagles raced to a 38-3 lead at the half and never looked back.

Faulkner starters spent the second half cheering for their teammates, and backup quarterback proved he was a more-than-adequate replacement for the All-American Hollingsworth, completing 12 of his 14 pass attempts for 98 yards. Hollingsworth had another near-flawless performance, connecting on 24 of 33 tries for 237 yards and the three scores.

"I've been working extremely hard since last fall, and Josh has been great teaching me things I need to know," said the redshirt freshman Cochran, who missed last season after suffering a knee injury in preseason practice. "I know I'm a play away from being the guy, so I have to be ready. I think I am."

Despite the success of the quarterbacks, Faulkner did much of its damage on the ground, with five different running backs scoring touchdowns. In addition to Hall's big night, the Eagles got 89 yards rushing and a touchdown from David Amos, 70 yards and a touchdown from Junior Allen, 34 yards and a score from Triston McCathern and 26 yards and a touchdown from Ro'Mello Porter.

Allen, a transfer from Bethany College, also returned a kickoff 99 yards for a score. Jacob Smith, who had two point afters blocked in last week's win over Lindsey Wilson, was perfect on all six of his extra point tries. For the night, Faulkner had 39 first downs and its 693 yards of total offense was distributed equally, with 358 coming on the ground and 335 through the air.

Faulkner had 19 different players catch passes in the game, paced by the seven catches for 64 yards and a touchdown by Trump Harrison. Radarius Owens and Jimmy Davenport also caught scoring passes in the game for the Eagles.

The Skyhawks had 386 yards of total offense, and were led by quarterback Kier Houston, who 69 yards rushing and a touchdown, and receiver Anthony Armstrong, who caught three passes for 114 yards and a score. Armstrong added a 60-yard run on a fake punt early in the first quarter which led to a Nicklaus Powell 22-yard field goal.

The kick cut the Faulkner lead to 7-3, but the Eagles responded with 38 straight points for the knockout. Shaine Boyle, Nate Copeland, Titus Whitsett and Dai'Von McLucas each had six tackles each for the Eagle defense, which got interceptions from Issac Franklin and Donny Ruggles to snuff out Point drives. Kenterris Williams, Paramore Tapa, Kelepi Nau and Ray Morris added five stops apiece.

"We know if we're going to challenge for a conference championship, we have to be able to step up in games like we have the next couple of weeks," Barker said. "We'll find out a lot about our team real soon, I can promise you that." Next Friday, prior to huge MSC game Saturday afternoon, Faulkner Stadium will be dedicated in a ceremony at 11 a.m.

A bronze statue of former Alabama head coach Gene Stallings and his late son John Mark, located just inside the stadium's entrance, will be unveiled as part of the dedication. Stallings, his wife Ruth Ann and their four daughters, will all be on hand for the ceremony, which is open to the public.

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